GT Carbon Zaskar Expert VS Marin Indian Fire Trail

supermonkey
supermonkey Posts: 315
edited April 2008 in MTB buying advice
So after much deliberation it boils down to these two. I've been on very limited test rides on both as there are no official demo bikes near me and I would say that going by the limited time I spent on the bikes I probably like both equally. The Marin has better components while the GT arguably has a better frame. I would probably upgrade the GT's shifters, rear mech and cranks to XT before it left the shop which would bring it more inline with the Marin, spec wise. I can get a good deal on the GT which means it would come in slightly cheaper than the Marin even with the upgrades.

Has anyone got any advice on which one to choose and why?

Which would you go for?

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... ts_id=7215
http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... ts_id=7174

Comments

  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I would say the Marin, only because I have one :wink: - whether or not the GT frame is better is arguable though (proven yes, but not 'better' imo) but both great bikes.

    Two different beasts.......

    Almost aggressive feel to the IFT - twitchy on the rear end but in a good way - simply tears into singlet rack and the acceleration is second to none - I have upgraded mine to withing an inch of it's life (pics in sig)

    One of the fastest bikes I have ridden - even carbon frames don't feel as nimble
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Zaskar frame is a 900 quid unit, that weighs a scant 2.65lbs! Supposed to be very stiff, but absorbs trail buzz. If upgrading, it would be the one I'd go for.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • norco forever
    norco forever Posts: 1,177
    ridden my mates standard zaskar feels amazing and oh so quick can't imagine how unbelievably quick a carbon one would be.
    If you aint in A&E, you aint riding hard enough

    http://identiti4lfe.pinkbike.com/album/Scott-Ransom
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Slightly better components on the Marin, but it's a tough choice.
    Personally, I'd probably go for the aluminium Marin, but that's because my mind is not ready to accept carbon frames yet!
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Thanks for the input guys. Anyone else?
    Cheesey wrote:
    (proven yes, but not 'better' imo)

    Actually I think the GT is less proven being only the first year with the carbon frame.
  • Blundell
    Blundell Posts: 308
    The Zaskar as off the peg it is probably going to be a little slower than the IFT, however, if it had the same componentry as the IFT is would probably beat it hands down.

    Also, I know this is reet picky, but the cables are out of the way and semi-housed on the top tube on the Zaskar. On the IFT the rear mech cable is right in the line of fire on the down tube.
    Sh....itespeed http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1729687/
    Scott snail http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1801990/
    Klein bad attitude http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1802002/
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Blundell wrote:
    The Zaskar as off the peg it is probably going to be a little slower than the IFT, however, if it had the same componentry as the IFT is would probably beat it hands down.

    That's interesting, why do you think the GT (As is) would be slower than the IFT? AFAIK the GT weighs less than the Marin even as standard. Would having LX components and different fork make it slower?
  • Blundell
    Blundell Posts: 308
    I made my assumption that the IFT would probably be faster out of the box as it has better (lighter) wheel system and tyres than the Zaskar. The hope hubs are going to be lighter then the LX hubs and the continental tyres are going to give you better all round grip than the drier conditions oriented kenda tyres. I could well be wrong! :lol:
    Sh....itespeed http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1729687/
    Scott snail http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1801990/
    Klein bad attitude http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1802002/
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    One thing I will say, is that I rode my mate's S-works hard tail (which is sweet) and very light

    But it wasn't noticeably quicker than my Marin, about the same, but a lot of that was down to my race light build kit

    Frame for frame there is not a lot of difference in the carbon frame and M6 alloy weight (weight weanies will quote the actual difference)

    As soon as carbon is mentioned, people always assume that it will be as light as a fag packet but that's not always the case..... and assumption will probably lead to people assuming the Marin M6 frame is 2lb heavier (which it isn't)

    If you were to buy the Marin IFT frame on it's own, I could assure you, you wouldn't get much change from £600 - as it's top of the line only superseded by the Team Ti and is a hell of a lot lighter than the rest of the Marin hard tail range, even if it looks very similar

    I don't work for Marin btw :lol:
  • beastieboyo
    beastieboyo Posts: 20
    Hi all,
    First post and my first time back on a bike for a few years.
    Not sure about the marin as I havn't been on it so i can't comment but just bought a gt zaskar expert and so far so good.
    Very quick and so sturdy for such a light bike.
    Handles light trails and uphills well,havn't really put it to test up Afan yet so will get back to you about that.

    Happy trails.

    max :) [/img]
    The only thing to slow me down is father time.:-(
    (And the odd tree)
    Zesty 714
    Gt zaskar carbon expert
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Not sure of the Marin frame weight, but the Zaskar is 2.65lbs - which for a bike that is stiff, but comfy and strong is pretty remarkable.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Anyone know what the Marin frame weighs?
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I *think* although I am not 100% sure that it weighs 3.2lb, or was it 3.3lb?

    I was in cycle surgery picking up some stuff a few months back and there was a Marin rep in and I had a chat with him and he quoted the above weight, I have not weighed the frame although just by holding it it's damn light....

    Well, all in my bike weighs in at 22lb (maybe a little less)
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    supersonic wrote:
    Not sure of the Marin frame weight, but the Zaskar is 2.65lbs - which for a bike that is stiff, but comfy and strong is pretty remarkable.

    That's damn light SS :shock:
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yeah, only a couple that go any lighter, and they are usually XC race specific bikes rather than a tough old Zaskar that eats trails!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    Looks like the Zaskar has it then.

    Just out of interest what upgrades would you guys go for first?
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    wheels to be honest as the stock ones are a little on the heavy side, and I would swap out any LX stuff on there, not because there's anything wrong with it (before I get lynched), but if you are wanting to get it as light as possible .....

    The first thing I did on the IFT was carbon bars and XTR shifters and front mech (to replace LX) - that made a hell of a difference.
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    The shop has quoted me £150 to upgrade the rear mech, shifters, cranks and brakes to XT. Should I add the front mech to this as well?

    If I wanted to go to XTR but with Juicy 7 brakes they have quoted £385.

    Just questioning whether its worth the extra really?
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    to be honest the front mech doesn't matter to that extent, I just have a thing about matching drivetrains..... :lol:

    LX is fine, don't get me wrong - but the new XT is great!
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    What I don't understand about Shimano is that LX and XT are, generally speaking, just a few quid apart but then there's a massive leap in cost up to XTR. Seems that either XTR is a bit expensive or XT is a bit cheap? This seems to have made LX a bit redundant as it's so close in price to XT that it makes XT look like a bit of a no brainer.

    Also what do you think about brakes? XT or Juicy 7s? (I've posted this in another thread but haven't got any responses as of yet)

    Cheers.
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I have a set of Juicy 7's - great stoppers and easy to set up. But I fancy a change and was thinking about going to XT - they seem to get good reviews but I have no experience of them and I have heard that they require a fair bit of fettling, but that is only 'grapevine' and not through any direct experience....

    Juicy 5's are good, lack the bite point adjuster of the 7's but apart from that are the same brake..... look nice and clean in silver too
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    Oh, and XTR is just expensive, one thing to note about XTR is that after everyride I have had to fettle with indexing and stuff whereas XT seems to be pretty fit and forget (as long as you keep your cables clean) - I would recommend an enclosed gear cable system such as Avid Flak Jackets or Flying SNakes etc
  • cjw
    cjw Posts: 1,889
    The difference comes down to two factors really. Firstly, to improve from something that is already pretty good and light to go lighter and better requires use of more exotic materials and design = higher cost. Also there will be relatively less users of the highest end gear than the mid range. Hence unit cost goes up.
    London to Paris Forum
    http://cjwoods.com/london2paris

    Scott Scale 10
    Focus Izalco Team
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    What is the big "thing" about zaskars? I've ridden other triple-triangle GT bikes, but haven't ridden an actual Zaskar. So I don't quite get the whole "they are hardtail GOD" thing. :?:
  • cjw
    cjw Posts: 1,889
    We'll leave this one to supersonic :lol:
    London to Paris Forum
    http://cjwoods.com/london2paris

    Scott Scale 10
    Focus Izalco Team
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    cjw wrote:
    We'll leave this one to supersonic :lol:
    By all means, I'm not dissing anyone, I'm just curious. I used to be a big fan of GTs, I wanted an LTS-DH for soooo long! :D
  • beastieboyo
    beastieboyo Posts: 20
    I think a small part of it is just down to personal preference and the for a lot of people a Gt was they're first bike,bit like a lager/cider,skiing/snowboarding nvidia/ati,blondes/brunettes,subarau/evo ,porsche/ferrari..you can't really give exact reasons you just like it.
    Not a technical or really helpful answer I know. :oops:
    Think I will take oyur advice on upgrades cheesey,but not until I given the stock equipment a bit of a battering,I suppose that's the only true benchmark apart from good advice.
    One minor thing I have noticed is that the rear cables along the top bar are prone to damage and coming free from the plastic brackets,so need to strap them down somehow.?
    The only thing to slow me down is father time.:-(
    (And the odd tree)
    Zesty 714
    Gt zaskar carbon expert
  • beastieboyo
    beastieboyo Posts: 20
    One other thing,bit of a noob question(hate to use that pcism) but will the kenda karmas on the bike be a good all round dry and wet tyre or will I need a more specialised mud /wet tyre.?
    The only thing to slow me down is father time.:-(
    (And the odd tree)
    Zesty 714
    Gt zaskar carbon expert
  • supermonkey
    supermonkey Posts: 315
    beastieboyo wrote:
    One minor thing I have noticed is that the rear cables along the top bar are prone to damage and coming free from the plastic brackets,so need to strap them down somehow.?

    What do you mean prone to damage? Are you talking about the cable that's housed or the bare cable? How do they come free?

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